Jakarta, IO – The two guides – Kanisius Mite (53) and Ni Made Suciati (52) – reportedly set off the fireworks to celebrate a tourist’s birthday. The Labuan Bajo District Court found them guilty and sentenced them each to 7 months of imprisonment and a fine of Rp30 million. If they can’t pay the fine, they have to serve an additional three-month jail term.
Their action was considered a bad example for society in general and tour guides in particular. In its ruling, the court declared them guilty of committing a concurrent crime and carrying out activities that are inconsistent with the national park functions and threatening the sustainability of the bat ecosystem and habitat in the park, reported Detik on Tuesday (27/12).
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This incident happened on March 31 in the waters off Kalong Island. The fireworks were caught on camera and went viral on social media. It was later found that they came from a boat carrying 15 tourists from Cilegon, Banten. The tour was organized by a travel agency named PT Bali Komodo Wisata. (rr)